Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Ferrysburg, MI

DISCUSSION
Issued at 307 PM EST Wed Jan 14 2026

- Locally Heavy Snow Through Tonight Near The Lakeshore

Radar shows a few bands of moderate to heavy lake effect snow have developed over Lake Michigan clipping several of our lakeshore counties. A perusal of the 12z high resolution guidance predominantly suggests that these bands should shift west this evening. Gave consideration to upgrading Van Buren County to a Winter Storm Warning, however radar and 18z CAM trends continue to support the band shifting east into Berrien County which is already starting to occur. Isolated warning level snow amounts are possible in extreme western Van Buren County but confidence in the band persisting for enough time is not high enough to upgrade to a warning. This is highly sensitive to small shifts in wind direction Expect 4-7" of snow across western Van Buren, Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana, and Mason Counties with isolated higher totals possible. The eastern portions of these counties and the rest of West Michigan look to see 3 inches or less. We then get a brief break in the snow for Thursday as ridging takes over.

- Lake Enhanced Clipper Brings Widespread Snow Friday

The arrival of a potent shortwave and an associated clipper brings our next snowmaker into the region early Friday morning. Widespread snow continues through the day on Friday before transitioning to lake effect snow showers Saturday morning. The lightest snow amounts will be near US-127, and the highest amounts will be west of US-131 where the greatest lake enhancement will be. Isolated areas west of US-131 may see totals in excess of 6 inches. Exact amounts will be fine-tuned over the next several forecast cycles as the current winter weather event winds down.

- Lake Effect Snow and Cold Continue Into Early Next Week

The trough driving the current cold snap remains centered over the eastern CONUS through at least mid next week. A setup like this is commonly associated with multiple rounds of lake effect/enhanced snow with increased intensity at times as shortwaves reinforce the cold airmass and provide forcing.This will be reflected at the surface as several clippers into mid next week. Accumulation will add up through the weekend into early next week, though questions on timing of waves and associated adjustments to the low-level wind exist affecting placement of the greatest snowfall totals. The other concern is the enhanced cold snap early next week as 850 mb temps crash well into the negative twenties Celsius. This will translate to highs maxing out in the teens and wind chills potentially dropping below zero at night early next week, notably colder than3 recent conditions.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/
Issued at 640 PM EST Wed Jan 14 2026

Snow showers continue across the region, but are beginning to diminish as a strong short wave moves east. We'll see the snow showers continue to diminish overnight with VFR cigs returning after 09z and continuing through the rest of the period.

MARINE
Issued at 307 PM EST Wed Jan 14 2026

The Gale Warning remains in good shape with gusts to 40 knots being observed today at our shoreline observation sites. Winds subside below gales tonight with conditions hazardous to small craft persisting at least into the weekend. Freezing spray is also a concern for mariners given the very cold airmass overhead.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MI...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for MIZ037-043- 050-064-071.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 1 AM EST Thursday for LMZ844>849.